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Middle East conflict

Israel ponders preemptive strike against Iran — daily

"Israel would consider launching a preemptive strike to deter Iran if it uncovered airtight evidence that Tehran was preparing to mount an attack," the Times of Israel reported

TEL AVIV, August 5. /TASS/. The authorities of Israel consider launching a preemptive strike against Iran in case Tehran’s attack is imminent, the Times of Israel daily announced on Monday.

"Israel would consider launching a preemptive strike to deter Iran if it uncovered airtight evidence that Tehran was preparing to mount an attack," the Israeli daily stated.

According to the Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened late on Sunday a meeting with Israel’s security chiefs, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad head David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

The daily added that the meeting was "held amid preparations for anticipated attacks on Israel by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah."

US-based Axios news website reported earlier in the day citing its unnamed sources that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken informed foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) that Iran and the Hezbollah movement could launch an offensive against Israel within the next 24 hours.

"Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah have vowed to respond to the assassinations by Israel of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran," Axios reported citing its sources that "Blinken stressed that the United States believes Iran and Hezbollah will both retaliate."

"Blinken said the US doesn't know the exact timing of the attacks but stressed it could start as early as the next 24-48 hours - meaning as early as Monday," according to the website.

On July 31, the Palestinian movement Hamas reported Haniyeh's death in an Israeli strike on his residence in Tehran, where he had attended the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Al Hadath TV channel reported that Haniyeh had been killed in a direct missile strike. Mousa Abu Marzook, deputy chief of the Hamas political bureau, vowed that Haniyeh’s killing would not go unanswered.

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Crisis in Yemen

Russia, Gulf Cooperation Council member-states urge against armed conflict in Yemen

The participating sides agreed on the importance of ensuring the safety of the international navigation," the statement read

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Russian forces liberate DPR’s Novogrodovka

Also the Defense Ministry said that Russian servicemen have hit a temporary deployment site of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center South

Ukraine runs out of money to pay its military — Rada committee

Roksolana Pidlasa clarified that the difficulties regarding the payments arose as the US did not provide military assistance to Kiev in the first quarter of 2024 due to delays in the approval of the relevant bill in Congress

More than 450 organizations listed as foreign agents in Georgia — PM

Irakli Kobakhidze also stressed that "the registration process of non-governmental organizations took place amidst active pressure and blackmail"

Russia becomes largest economy in Europe, 'being right in hot pursuit of Japan' — aide

Maxim Oreshkin stressed that the gradual loss of all these elements leads to long-term stagnation of the European economy

Author of "My Heart Will Go On" hit dies in US

He had been in declining health for the past 5-6 years

Kiev seeks lifting of restrictions on strikes on Russia amid dire battlefield situation

However, according to Maria Zakharova, this will turn out to be "a plan of trouble" for Kiev rather than "a plan of victory"

Over 100,000 people take to streets in France protesting against Macron’s policy

Apart from Paris, massive rallies took place in Nantes, Nice, Marseille, Rennes and other major cities

Germany does not give Russia reliable information on Nord Stream sabotage case — envoy

Ambassador to Berlin Sergey Nechayev emphasized that the project involves not only Russia, but also many other countries as well

Russian energy minister anticipates stable fuel prices in long-term perspective

According to the minister, the country’s oil sector has reserves of two million tons of gasoline and 3.5 million tons of diesel fuel and manages to offer high supply on the market

Lavrov meets with GCC secretary general in Riyadh

The top Russian duplomat noted that this meeting is the fifth of its kind

Partnership with Russia, China allows Malaysia to seek recognition on global stage — PM

Anwar Ibrahim pointed out that expanding cooperation with Russia and China would not negatively affect Malaysia's relations with "traditional friends such as ASEAN, Europe and the United States"

Germany to do its utmost to investigate Nord Stream pipelines blasts — Scholz

In an interview with the ZDF television channel, he was asked whether he trusted Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky following reports about Kiev’s involvement in the blasts

Russian forces wipe out several dozen Ukrainian militants near Slavyansk in DPR

It is reported that the exact number of eliminated Ukrainian neo-Nazi fighters is currently being determined

Ukrainian drones attack six districts of Belgorod Region over day

In Belgorod, attacks hit nine apartment buildings, four private houses and two office buildings, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said

Vietnamese parliament speaker arrives in Moscow on official visit

Melnikov said earlier, that the Vietnamese parliament speaker would pay a visit to Russia from September 8 through 10 to discuss aspects of interbank cooperation, trade, and joint projects

Russia plans to create 90 nm lithography machine — minister

The first commercial specimen of the lithographic printer operating on the 350 nm topology already appeared this year

Russia says its Grad MLRS destroys Ukrainian positions near border in Kursk Region

The ministry said that, in cooperation with forward reconnaissance teams and unmanned aircraft, Grad crews strike enemy locations, strongholds and observation posts

Landing humans on Mars needs international collaboration — former NASA chief

However, the former chief of the US space agency was skeptical about the prospect of a private company’s capability of sending humans to Mars alone

Serbian Deputy PM Vulin to take part in BRICS meeting on security in St. Petersburg

A meeting of BRICS and BRICS+ high representatives in charge of security issues will be held in St. Petersburg on September 10 through 12

Taiwan records approach of 21 Chinese PLA aircraft, eight vessels in past day

According to the Taiwanese military, 16 PLA aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and flew into the island’s air defense identification zone in the northern, central, southwestern and south-eastern airspace of Taiwan

Russia’s barley exports up by over 30% in January-August — Agroexport

Saudi Arabia is the largest importer of Russian barley with deliveries having exceeded 1.7 mln tons, according to the report

Scholz says it is time for discussing ways out of conflict in Ukraine

At the same time, he pledged that Germany would continue its assistance to Kiev but admitted that the results of the regional elections in Germany, where parties opposing weapons supplies to Ukraine won the majority, "stem from the fact that some people are against support for Ukraine."

EU officials focus on serving US energy interests, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova noted that the EU distorted facts and spread direct disinformation to portray Russia as an unreliable energy supplier

EAEU, SCO, BRICS can become backbone of global economic regulatory system

According to him, it is necessary to remove existing legislative barriers, primarily in the area of taxation and currency control

Potential catastrophe at Kursk NPP to affect entire Europe — Russian officer

He said that he doesn’t understand "why Europe as yielded to America’s globalist interests and is doing everything it can to let America stage a catastrophe that would affect not only Russia and Ukraine, but also entire Europe."

Russia works for preventing major war in Middle East — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed to "a sharp deterioration of the military and political situation in the entire region - from the border of Lebanon and Israel to the Red Sea"

Lavrov arrives in Riyadh to take part in Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council meeting

The heads of the delegations will also discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, developments in Syria, Yemen, and Libya

World opting for BRICS as it is tired of US’ aggression — Russian diplomat

When asked why so many countries are seeking BRICS membership, Zakharova said that the world is tired of "America’s claims," attacks and "implicit or even explicit aggression."

Kremlin aware of Scholz’s 'peace plan' only from media

"We are not rejecting any plans in advance but it is necessary to understand what this is about," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian diplomat summoned to Latvian MFA over reports about fallen Russian drone

A similar incident was reported in Lithuania

Death toll in Israeli airstrike on Syria’s Hama rises to 14 — SANA

Earlier, Syrian media said that five civilians were killed and 19 others were wounded

Russia to continue raising topic of West’s involvement in attacks on Kursk Region at UN

According to Zakharova, such contacts are maintained via the foreign ministry, "via embassies, via exchanges of notes, via isolated targeted missions."

Final day of regional, municipal elections starts in Russia

Residents of 25 Russian regions will have an opportunity to cast their ballot in an online vote

Belarusian tennis player Sobolenko wins US Open

The match ended 7-5, 7-5 in favor of Arina Sobolenko, who was seeded number two at the tournament

West’s attempts to influence elections in Russia failed — lawmaker

"But, whereas they launched a campaign for those they support in Moscow, they opted for a different tactic in St. Petersburg - against those they did not like, the so-called anyone-but.. action. A range of illegal canvassing materials were published," he noted

Voting in Russia proceeding without violations — human rights ombudsperson’s office

The Single Voting Day is being held throughout Russia on September 6-8, when almost 4,000 election campaigns being underway

Putin congratulates Kim Jong Un on North Korea's 76th anniversary — Kremlin

The Russian leader noted that relations between the two countries remain at a high level, which was fully confirmed by the recent substantial and fruitful talks in Pyongyang

Ukrainian drone shot down over Kursk Regions — defense ministry

"At about 4:30 p.m. Moscow time (1:30 p.m. GMT) on September 8, 2024, another Kiev regime’s attempted terrorist attacks on facilities in Russia’s territory with the use of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles was thwarted. A Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the Kursk Region," it said

French war correspondent says country had hand in planning attack on Kursk

It is reported that France strategically calls its military specialists in Ukraine mercenaries to avoid responsibility

Houthis down US MQ-9 Reaper drone — rebel representative

This is the eighth drone of the US air forces of this type downed by the rebels over the airspace of Yemen since the start of escalation

Press review: Kiev bets on own arms production and US, NATO bearing down on Latin America

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, September 9th

Algeria’s incumbent president wins early election — agency

The voter turnout was 48.03%

INTERVIEW: Russia to address issue of efficient use of ports for energy export

Currently, in Russia, only 50-60% of the port capacity for energy exports is used

Press review: Mongolia shoves Putin's arrest warrant and big deals abound at EEF

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 4th

Trump says he was offended by Putin’s ironic remark about endorsing Harris

Earlier, the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Conditions in Russian hostage even better than in Ukrainian units — commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov said that Russia "fully provides the prisoners of war with food and everything they need, and they receive full medical care"

Israeli strike at Syria possibly targeted Iranian missile production base — report

The IDF has not yet commented the situation

Fire area in Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine exceeds 2,600 hectares

The radiation background in the area is normal, with critical infrastructure facilities not at threat

Medvedev touts Russia as global leader in drone warfare thanks to special op

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman pointed out that no one could have imagined that drone usage would become so widespread before the special military operation

GCC becoming major independent center of multipolar world — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council "is growing amid the ongoing Middle East crises"

Kremlin not yet started preparations for Putin's Direct Line Q&A session

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Direct Line session would be held closer to the New Year and would again be combined with the year-end press conference

Ukraine loses over 11,220 troops since start of hostilities in Kursk area

Russian servicemen repelled five Ukrainian attacks, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Putin slams Germany's refusal to turn on Nord Stream 2 as lunacy, nonsense

If Nord Stream 2 is brought back online, 27.5 bln cubic meters of gas would immediately go to Europe, the Russian leader stressed

DPRK strengthens sovereignty under destructive forces’ heavy pressure — Medvedev

The Russian senior official also noted that the interaction between the United Russia and the Workers' Party of Korea "is a tangible component of comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang"

Lavrov says his only meeting with Kuleba lacked constructiveness

The minister noted making an exception while visiting Antalya - there were no plans to participate in this diplomatic conference, because it did not fit into the schedule

Plane en route from Moscow to Istanbul makes unplanned landing in Warsaw — website

According to the online service database, the plane is owned by Turkey’s Pegasus

Over 460,000 children vaccinated against polio in Gaza Strip — agency

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan earlier ordered to allocated $5 million to support the campaign

Wang Yi to visit Russia on September 11-12 — China’s Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, the Chinese foreign minister will exchange opinions with his BRICS colleagues "on the current situation in the field of international security and key international and regional issues"

Kiev violating legal, humanitarian rules of warfare — Belarusian security chief

According to Volfovich, these violations are committed with the tacit connivance of Ukraine’s Western partners

Press review: Big bucks flow at EEF and Macron's PM pick has left talking impeachment

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 6th

Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

First Starships to Mars to launch in two years, Musk says

If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years

Russia expects Latin American representatives at BRICS summit, invitations sent — diplomat

Alexander Schetinin told Izvestiya that the work is underway

PM Mishustin to travel to Uzbekistan with two-day official visit

The sides will review the implementation of agreements, achieved during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Uzbekistan on May 26-28

Lavrov to discuss regional crises, global economy with Gulf Cooperation Council

The intensification of the strategic dialogue occurs amid an objective global trend of strengthening of new centers of growth and development beyond the historic West

White House irked by Putin’s ironic comment about US elections

Earlier the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian aerial bomb in Kursk Region

Since early Monday, the authorities of the Kursk Region have issued two missile alerts

Voter turnout in Kursk Region stands at 61.56% — election commission

Due to the current counter-terrorist operation and federal emergency situation regime, the vote in the Kursk Region took place early, between August 28 and September 5

Kremlin won’t help US 'decipher' Putin's remarks on Harris

Dmitry Peskov noted that unfortunately the issue of Russia is an integral part of the political struggle in the United States

Summer Paralympic Games in Paris declared closed

The closing ceremony is being held at Paris’ Stade de France stadium

FACTBOX: Striking Ukrainian reserves: situation in Kursk Region

Russian aviation has hit Ukrainian reserves in 15 localities in the Sumy Region over the day

BRICS countries may present instruments for mutual settlements at summit in Kazan

The key principles in designing the new financial system are decentralization of international interaction and the use of digital technologies, Andrey Mikhailishin said

INTERVIEW: Ban on export of gasoline not to cause decline in its production — minister

The ban on export of gasoline from Russia has been extended from September 1 until the end of 2024

Foreign mercenaries operating in Kursk direction particularly brutal — security source

It is the mercenaries that act the most brutally towards civilians, a source in security agencies said

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Iranian President plans to attend BRICS Summit in Kazan — Ambassador

There Masoud Pezeshkian plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kazem Jalali said

Kiev’s allies worried Ukraine could be pushed out of Kursk border area in a few months

Bloomberg reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Kiev could use the situation in the Kursk Region "as a bargaining chip in talks"

China set to promote multipolarity, inclusive globalization as SCO chair — diplomat

According to Sun Weidong, as the chair of the SCO, China will hold over a hundred meetings and events in politics, security, economy and the humanitarian sphere

Russian forces use drones in road mining to wipe out enemy vehicles — businessman

According to Alexey Chadayev, the new method has an advantage in that a mining device can be produced directly at the site of combat

Kiev reiterates hopes for Moscow’s attendance of second peace conference

"It is very difficult to end this war diplomatically without the Russian side," Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 12 times in past day

A pair of the coalition’s F-15 fighter jets (three times), a pair of Rafale fighter jets, as well as a pair of A-10 Thunderbolt attack bombers (two times) violated Syria’s airspace in the al-Tanf area

Zelensky destroying Ukrainian economy — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that "during martial law, Zelensky has been actively raising prices," for example, by signing a bill on raising excise duties on gas, diesel and autogas

Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Kalinovo settlement in DPR

The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 810 servicemen in the area of responsibility of Russia’s South battlegroup over the day

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, the Russian military repelled two attacks by enemy assault groups towards Matveyevka and Olgovka, and foiled Ukrainian attempts to attack three settlements

Ukraine pulling fresh forces to Kursk area — Russian officer

According to the commander of the Akhmat special forces commando unit Apty Alaudinov, there were no large-scale attacks on Wednesday

Russia, China to hold joint drills in two seas in September — Chinese top brass

The drills will be held according to a plan agreed by the two countries, the Chinese ministry noted

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

Conflict in Ukraine to be settled through talks — Pentagon chief

"We are going continue to work to put Ukraine in the best possible position" for peace talks, Lloyd Austin pledged

12 fuel tanks catch fire in Belgorod Region after Ukraine’s drone attack

The region’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, wrote on his Telegram channel earlier that a fuel storage facility had been attacked by a Ukrainian drone in the region

Ruling party leader hails elections in Russia as complying with country’s laws

The Single Voting Day was held throughout Russia on September 6-8, when almost 4,000 election campaigns held

Syrsky to be fired over fallout from attack on Kursk Region, says Ukrainian politician

Ukraine’s former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko said that the best Ukrainian units and equipment had been deployed to the Kursk Region

Russia, North Korea to keep strengthening strategic partnership — Putin

"This, undoubtedly, meets the core interests of our peoples and is in line with the course on ensuring security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeastern Asian region in general," the Russian president said

Expert who predicted Biden, Trump victories says Harris to win

American historian and political scientist Allan Lichtman explained that he bases his predictions on his own system, which takes into account 13 key factors

US, Europe working on substitutes for S-300 system, R-27 missile — Pentagon chief

Earlier, Western media outlets reported that Ukraine had failed to fully replace Soviet-made S-300 missile systems with Western-manufactured ones

Single Voting Day over in Russia

Local legislative elections took place in 13 Russian regions

Russia sees no limit to US involvement in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russia must take into account the destructive actions of the West and ensure a reliable future for future generations amid them

Yerevan hands over to Baku completely agreed draft of peace treaty — top diplomat

According to Ararat Mirzoyan, Armenia and Azerbaijan have all the chances to sign a peace treaty soon

Ukraine’s troops cling to outskirts of Krasnogorovka, sustain daily losses — DPR head

Denis Pushilin said Russian soldiers were very resourceful in selecting methods and tactics of liberating the city, as well as rescuing the local population

Russian Su-34 jet hits Ukrainian forces in Kursk border area with aerial bombs

According to the Defense Ministry, after receiving confirmation from the intelligence service that the targets had been destroyed, the crew returned safely to the airfield